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Noctua NH-U12A · White — Air tower
Noctua

Noctua NH-U12A · White

Air tower

90
/ 100
From $109
VS
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB wins by 3
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB — 360 AIO
Arctic

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB

360 AIO

93
/ 100
From $109
Specdex verdict

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Noctua NH-U12A · White lands at 90 and Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB at 93. That puts Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Noctua NH-U12A · White if…

  • ✓Multi-socket bracket support
  • ✓Quiet fans at idle
  • ✓Strong TDP rating

Pick Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB if…

  • ✓Multi-socket bracket support
  • ✓Quiet fans at idle
  • ✓Strong TDP rating
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Thermals

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB

Compared on the thermals sub-score

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB leads on thermals (93 vs 90).

Install

Tie

Compared on the install sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Noise

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB

Compared on the noise sub-score

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB leads on noise (89 vs 86).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Noctua NH-U12A · White 90
vs
93 Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB

Score breakdown

Noctua NH-U12A · White
90
thermals 90
noise 86
install 88
value 86
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB
93
thermals 93
noise 89
install 88
value 86

Specs side-by-side

Noctua NH-U12A · White versus Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB — full spec comparison
Spec Noctua NH-U12A · White Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB
Type
Air tower
360 AIO

Noctua NH-U12A · White

Pros
  • +Multi-socket bracket support
  • +Quiet fans at idle
  • +Strong TDP rating
Cons
  • −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
  • −AIO pump noise varies
  • −Installation requires motherboard-off

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB

Pros
  • +Multi-socket bracket support
  • +Quiet fans at idle
  • +Strong TDP rating
Cons
  • −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
  • −AIO pump noise varies
  • −Installation requires motherboard-off

FAQ: Noctua NH-U12A · White vs Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB

Which is better, Noctua NH-U12A · White or Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB? +

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Noctua NH-U12A · White worth the price? +

At $109, Noctua NH-U12A · White delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in thermals.

Is Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB worth the price? +

At $109, Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in thermals.

Does Noctua NH-U12A · White or Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for thermals, Noctua NH-U12A · White or Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB? +

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB — leads on thermals (93 vs 90). Compared on the thermals sub-score.

Which is better for noise, Noctua NH-U12A · White or Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB? +

Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360 · RGB — leads on noise (89 vs 86). Compared on the noise sub-score.